Proclamation 7180.
6,489 words·~29 min read·
/statutes-at-large/vol-113/proclamation-7180A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
113 STAT. 2066 Proclamation 7180 of April 8, 1999 National D.A.R.E. Day, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation The Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program, founded in 1983 by the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles Unified School District, helps children across our Nation develop into the bright, talented, and healthy individuals they have the potential to become. The D.A.R.E. curriculum is designed to give children in kindergarten through 12th grade the skills they need to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs, and violence.
Taught by community police officers who have the special training and experience necessary to address the difficult issues facing young people, the D.A.R.E. program reaches more than 26 million students each day in nearly 75 percent of our Nation’s school districts, encouraging young Americans to resist peer pressure and to lead lives free from the shadows of drugs and violence. D.A.R.E.’s mission is a crucial one. Drug abuse costs our Nation more than 14,000 lives and billions of dollars each year.
A recent study by the Department of Justice confirms that drug use continues to be a factor in crimes such as burglary, auto theft, assault, and murder, and that one in six offenders commits a crime just to get money for drugs. Because of alarming statistics like these, we must focus our efforts not just on those already addicted to drugs, but on all our young people, so that we can reach them before they are exposed to these illegal substances. Working in partnership with parents, teachers, and communities, the D.A.R.E. program conveys to children at an impressionable age a strong message about the dangers of substance abuse and strives to give them the tools and motivation they need to avoid those dangers.
Expanding on grassroots efforts like D.A.R.E., my Administration’s 1999 National Drug Control Strategy provides a comprehensive approach to move us closer to a drug-free America. An important part of this long-term plan is our emphasis on educating children. We know that when children understand the dangers of drugs, their rates of drug use decline. Our National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign and the Safe and Drug-Free Schools program focus on helping young Americans reject illegal drugs and violence.
In addition, in recent years, we have protected and increased the funding of the Safe and Drug-Free Schools program. Coupled with programs like D.A.R.E., these efforts offer us real hope for freeing America’s communities from the tragedy of substance abuse and the crime and violence they spawn. By doing so, we will give our children the safe and healthy future they deserve. NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 8, 1999, as National D.A.R.E.
Day. I call upon our youth, parents, educators, and all the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate programs and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-nine, 113 STAT. 2067and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-third. WILLIAM J. CLINTON 7181 April 9, 1999 Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 7181 of April 9, 1999 Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Inspired by the powerful words of Thomas Jefferson, the courageous military tactics of José de San Martín, and the revolutionary spirit of Simón Bolívar and many other leaders, the peoples of the Americas forged their nations with a profound respect for liberty and justice.
Today, a devotion to democratic ideals unifies the countries in our hemisphere. The strengthening of democratic institutions and practices throughout the Americas reflects our enduring commitment to human rights, free and fair elections, and the rule of law. The expansion of open markets illustrates our determination to achieve sustainable economic growth. At the dawn of a new millennium, we must work with a renewed spirit of cooperation to meet the challenges of our future and fulfill the destiny of our region.
In strengthening the ties that bind our nations together, we reaffirm our shared commitment to democracy and to the security of our hemisphere. Last April, the democratically elected leaders of our hemisphere met in Santiago, Chile, for the second Summit of the Americas. Building on the foundation laid at the Miami Summit in 1994, we developed an action plan for the future. Our strategy includes concrete methods to strengthen democracy, protect human rights, increase access to education, expand free and fair trade, and reduce corruption.
Thanks in part to the strong bonds between the nations of the Americas, our region has achieved an unprecedented era of peace and stability. As one of the world’s oldest regional alliances, the Organization of American States has served as a guiding institution in that endeavor. Through several vital initiatives, it has worked to foster multilateral cooperation, to bolster hemispheric security, to resolve regional disputes, and to combat corruption, drug trafficking, and international terrorism.
Our community of democracies also encouraged the governments of Peru and Ecuador to sign an historic Peace Accord last October that finally put their longstanding border dispute to an end. As we look to our common future, we must not forget that our vision for the Western Hemisphere also includes Cuba, whose citizens must be allowed the fruits of liberty and the rewards of integration. We must also remember that our commitment to closer cooperation becomes especially important in times of tragedy.
As hundreds of thousands of people across the Americas work to rebuild their homes and their lives in the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch and the earthquake in Colombia, we must be there to lend a helping hand and to provide the tools necessary to revitalize the economies of our neighbors and help renew their communities. United by a proud history and a shared interest in deepening political, cultural, and economic ties, the democracies of 113 STAT. 2068our hemisphere can serve as a beacon of peace and prosperity for citizens around the world.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Wednesday, April 14, 1999, as Pan American Day and April 11 through April 17, 1999, as Pan American Week. I urge the Governors of the 50 States, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the officials of other areas under the flag of the United States to honor these observances with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-third. WILLIAM J. CLINTON 7182 April 9, 1999 National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 7182 of April 9, 1999 National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation “We are honored to have had the opportunity to serve our country . . . .
” With these simple words, Navy Commander Jeremiah Denton, released in 1973 from North Vietnam with his companions after the longest wartime captivity of any group of Americans in our history, summed up the courage, selflessness, and indomitable spirit of generations of American prisoners of war. For more than two centuries, Americans have risked and lost their own freedom to defend democracy, preserve America’s liberty and values, and protect our national interests around the world.
In Andersonville or along the Yalu River, confined in Nazi stalags or enduring torture in the Hanoi Hilton, our prisoners of war have set an extraordinary example of valor, patriotism, and devotion to duty in the face of enormous hardship and adversity. The somber black and white POW/MIA flag serves as a reminder of their sacrifice and symbolizes our Nation’s deep concern for and steadfast commitment to these brave Americans and their families. But, however dark and trying the ordeal for our prisoners of war, their sacrifices did indeed serve a grand purpose.
Inspired by their bravery in captivity, our Nation has been resolute in its defense of liberty. And, because of their sacrifice, the United States today is strong, free, and prosperous, looking forward to a future of limitless possibility. Today we pay special tribute to our Nation’s former prisoners of war and their families and express our heartfelt gratitude for their many sacrifices. They have embodied the ideals of a strong people and a free Nation. They have represented America at its best, and they have served a grateful Nation with honor, dignity, and distinction.
As we honor them, let us also keep foremost in our thoughts and prayers Staff Sergeant Andrew Ramirez, Staff Sergeant Christopher Stone, and Specialist 113 STAT. 2069Steven Gonzales of the United States Army as they endure unjust captivity in Yugoslavia and as we work for their safety and swift release. NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 9, 1999, as National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day.
I call upon all Americans to join me in remembering former American prisoners of war who suffered the hardships of enemy captivity. I also call upon Federal, State, and local government officials and private organizations to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-third.
WILLIAM J. CLINTON 7183 April 14, 1999 Jewish Heritage Week, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 7183 of April 14, 1999 Jewish Heritage Week, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Nearly 350 years have passed since the first Jewish settlers arrived in America. The sons and daughters of a proud and ancient heritage, they brought to this new land gifts that have enriched our national life tremendously: a deep faith in God, a strong sense of morality, a devotion to family and community, a thirst for freedom, a reverence for justice, and a long tradition of philanthropy.
Millions of Jews have shared the American immigrant experience. Many came here fleeing poverty and persecution, yearning for religious or political freedom, seeking a better life for themselves and their families. Investing their dreams, ambitions, labor, and love in our country, Jewish immigrants overcame great obstacles to rise as far as their talents and effort could take them. Today their descendants continue to make extraordinary contributions to the cultural, economic, religious, and intellectual life of our Nation.
In education, the arts, politics, the law, science, entertainment, technology, philanthropy, industry, and every other field of endeavor, Jewish men and women have excelled in their pursuits and strengthened America with their character and accomplishments. As we look forward to a new century and a new millennium, let us give thanks for all that the Jewish community in America has done to keep our Nation free, strong, and prosperous. Let us celebrate the freedom of religion guaranteed by our founders in the Bill of Rights, which has done so much to attract men and women of conscience to this land.
Let us recognize that our country’s great diversity of races, religions, ethnicities, and cultures will prove to be among our greatest strengths in the global community of tomorrow. And let us reaffirm our sacred obligation to build a future based upon a spirit of tolerance, respect, and understanding. 113 STAT. 2070 NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 18 through April 25, 1999, as Jewish Heritage Week.
I urge all Americans to observe this week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-third. WILLIAM J. CLINTON 7184 April 15, 1999 National Park Week, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 7184 of April 15, 1999 National Park Week, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation America’s national parks are truly America’s national treasures.
Within their borders lie much of what is most precious to us: the breathtaking beauty of mountains, rivers, forests, and valleys: the extraordinary richness and variety of plants and animals; the places and artifacts of the special people and events that have shaped both our history and our destiny. This week we remember with gratitude one of those special people who played a pivotal role in the creation of our country’s National Park System. Conservationist John Muir emigrated to the United States as a child 150 years ago this year.
As a young man, he experienced for the first time the high country of California’s Sierra Nevada and Yosemite, and for the rest of his life he championed America’s wild places. “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread,” he wrote, “places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike.” He became the driving force behind the creation of such national parks as Yosemite, Sequoia, Mount Rainier, Petrified Forest, and Grand Canyon, and was an early advocate of an agency to manage them in a consistent manner.
Although he died two years before the establishment of the National Park Service in 1916, many still regard John Muir as the “Father of our National Park System.” Visitors to our Nation’s wondrous national treasures can still experience the scenic grandeur that so inspired John Muir. In Washington State’s Mount Rainier National Park, glaciers radiate from the summit and slopes of an ancient volcano, rising above dense green forests and brilliantly flowered meadows. This year, we celebrate the centennial anniversary of this cherished national park, preserved because of the vision and efforts of a coalition of mountaineers, geologists, and conservationists, including John Muir.
Today, the National Park System has grown to 378 sites visited by more than 285 million people each year. Each of these sites is interwoven with America’s richly diverse natural and cultural heritage to make up the pattern of our past, the fabric of our present, and the113 STAT. 2071 promise of our future. The two newest additions to our park system reflect this grand tradition. Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site in Arkansas pays tribute to the courage and quiet dignity of nine young African Americans who crossed the color line and changed American society forever.
Alabama’s Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site celebrates the World War II exploits of the all-black Army Air Corps unit whose members prevailed over prejudice and discrimination in the U.S. Armed Forces to compile a distinguished combat record in defense of freedom. At these and so many other parks and historic sites across the country, the dedicated men and women of the National Park Service preserve America’s heritage and teach a new generation the importance of informed and careful stewardship of our Nation’s treasured places.
During National Park Week, let us give thanks for the wisdom of all those who established our national parks and for the hard work and generous spirit of all those who continue to preserve them for our benefit. Because of their efforts, Americans will always find in our national parks the beauty, inspiration, knowledge, and renewal of spirit that have blessed our national journey for so long. NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 19 through April 25, 1999, as National Park Week.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-third. WILLIAM J. CLINTON 7185 April 16, 1999 National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 7185 of April 16, 1999 National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Organ donation is one of humanity’s most noble expressions of compassion and generosity.
It reflects the extraordinary selflessness of the donor and gives the recipient a second chance to experience life’s abundant blessings. For many people across our country, receiving an organ or tissue transplant means relief from suffering and a marked improvement in the quality of their lives. For others, it literally means the difference between life and death. And the demand for such donations continues to grow. In the last six years, the number of people on the national organ transplant list has doubled, from more than 30,000 in 1993 to more than 62,000 patients today.
A new name is added to that list every 18 seconds. Fortunately, thanks to remarkable medical breakthroughs, each of us has the power to improve these troubling statistics. In December of 1997, Vice President Gore and Secretary of Health and Human Services113 STAT. 2072(HHS) Donna Shalala launched the National Organ and Tissue Donation Initiative to raise awareness of the successes of transplantation and to educate our citizens about the urgent and continuing need for organ and tissue donations.
Building on this effort, the Health Care Financing Administration now requires hospitals participating in Medicaid and Medicare to notify organ procurement organizations of all deaths and imminent deaths at their facilities and to train their personnel to discuss donation with the families of potential donors. Judging from the positive impact of similar legislation in Pennsylvania, we anticipate that this new Federal regulation will substantially increase the number of donations throughout the country.
Becoming a donor is simple, requiring only that we complete and carry a donor card and inform our families and friends about our wish to donate. This second step is a critical one because, according to a new study issued by HHS, almost all Americans would agree to donate their loved one’s tissue or organs if they knew their loved one had request edit. Fewer than half would consent if they did not know their loved one’s wishes. During National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week, I urge all Americans to become potential donors.
By doing so, we can bring new hope and improved lives to thousands of our fellow citizens and has ten the day when no American on the organ transplant waiting list loses the race against time. NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 18 through April 24, 1999, as National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week. I urge all health care professionals, educators, the media, public and private organizations concerned with organ donation and transplantation, the clergy, and all Americans to join me in promoting greater awareness and acceptance of this humanitarian action.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have here unto set my hand this sixteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety–nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty–third. WILLIAM J. CLINTON 7186 April 16, 1999 National Volunteer Week, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 7186 of April 16, 1999 National Volunteer Week, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Helping others—and helping others help themselves—through volunteer work is a great American tradition.
Our Nation’s dedicated volunteers come from all walks of life, all races, and all ages. Whether they support their communities through their churches, synagogues, or other religious institutions, serve full-time as AmeriCorps members, or spend a few hours a week helping out organizations or individuals in need, America's volunteers are bringing hope and help to their fellow citizens and building a stronger, more compassionate Nation for us all. 113 STAT. 2073 Our volunteers know that service is one of the best ways to make a difference in the lives of others—and they are proving that Americans at any stage of life can serve.
Thousands of older Americans donate their time to serve as foster grandparents, senior companions, and as part of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program and other initiatives. As many as 13 million young Americans aged 12 to 17 also volunteer each year, improving their communities, broadening their educational experiences, developing new skills, and increasing their understanding of the responsibilities of citizenship. This week, during National Youth Service Day, young people across our country will participate in service activities and demonstrate with their good works the power of youth to strengthen our Nation.
Volunteers will become increasingly vital to our society as we enter a new millennium. We cannot rely solely on charitable contributions or government programs to address the challenges we see in our communities. Each of us must find our own role and take action as a volunteer, a neighbor, and a citizen. We must work together to ensure that every child has a caring adult in his or her life, a safe place in which to live and grow, a good school to attend, a healthy start in life, and a chance to serve the community.
We must continually strive to bring hope and hard work to bear on the human problems we see every day. With warm hearts and willing hands, we can make a lasting difference. During this week, let us renew our spirit of community, our sense of idealism, and our commitment to service. Let us also honor the invaluable work of the thousands of voluntary, civic, religious, school, and neighborhood groups across our country that are leading the way by serving their fellow Americans and improving the quality of life for us all.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 18 through April 24, 1999, as National Volunteer Week. I call upon all Americans to observe this week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities to express appreciation to the volunteers among us for their commitment to service and to encourage the spirit of volunteerism in our families and communities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-third. WILLIAM J. CLINTON 7187 April 22, 1999 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 7187 of April 22, 1999 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Over the past year, in communities across our Nation, Americans have witnessed with shock and disbelief the painful consequences of hatred and brutality.
The beating and murder of Matthew Shepard in Wyo-113 STAT. 2074ming and the killing of Billy Jack Gaither in Alabama taught us how easily prejudice can erupt into violence. The murder of James Byrd in Texas reminded us in stark terms of the poisonous legacy of racism in America. While the victims of these crimes are known to us because of the particularly heinous nature of the acts that took their lives, there are thousands more Americans unknown to us who become victims of crime each day.
Behind each of these tragic statistics is an individual whose rights have been violated, whose life has been taken or irrevocably changed, and whose family, friends, and community have been touched by the shadows of violence and fear. Recognizing the widespread impact of crime on our Nation, my Administration has worked hard during the past 6 years to strengthen our criminal justice system, to reduce the incidence of crime, and to champion the rights of crime victims. Through such landmark legislation as the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994—which included the Violence Against Women Act, the Brady Bill, and the Community Notification Act—we have put thousands of new police officers into America’s communities, given crime victims a greater voice in the criminal justice process, prevented more than a quarter million felons, fugitives, and stalkers from obtaining handguns, and protected women and children from violence and abuse in their homes and communities.
With these and other measures, we have provided communities with needed assistance and have helped reduce the violent crime rate in the United States to its lowest level in nearly a quarter century. But we still have much to do if we are to prevent those crimes motivated by hatred. That is why I have urged the Congress to pass the Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 1999. This proposed legislation would strengthen existing Federal hate crimes law by covering crimes committed because of the victim’s sexual orientation, gender, or disability, and by expanding the situations in which prosecutions can be brought for violent crimes perpetrated because of the victim’s race, color, religion, or national origin.
As recent events have made clear, we must address intolerance early in life. We are reaching out to students in middle school—young people who are at an especially impressionable age—through a public–private partnership entitled “Dealing with Our Differences.” This partnership will develop a program to teach tolerance in the classroom, highlight positive ways in which adolescents are dealing with issues of diversity, and show the harmful impact intolerance causes in the daily lives of our youth.
In an effort to understand better the problem of hate crimes and prejudice among young Americans, I have asked the Departments of Justice and Education to include in their annual report card on school safety a new section on hate crimes among our youth, whether they occur in school or elsewhere; and these departments will also collect and publish data regarding hate crimes and intolerance on college campuses. During National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, let us remember not only those who have suffered at the hands of criminals, but also those generous men and women who work each day to bring justice and healing to victims and their loved ones.
Whether as victims’ advocates, counselors, law enforcement personnel, prosecutors, or community volunteers, they reflect America’s resolve to protect the rights of every citizen and to build a future where our differences no longer make us targets of hatred and intolerance. Let us also remember in our prayers the113 STAT. 2075people of Littleton, Colorado. While it is still too early to determine the specific circumstances that led to this week’s tragic events, it is never too soon to teach our children that violence and hatred are wrong and have no place in our schools or in our society.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 25 through May 1, 1999, as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. I urge all Americans to remember crime victims and their families by working to reduce violence, to assist those harmed by crime, and to make our homes and communities safer places in which to live and raise our families.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty–second day of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety–nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty–third. WILLIAM J. CLINTON 7188 April 23, 1999 National Science and Technology Week, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 7188 of April 23, 1999 National Science and Technology Week, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation The American experience is deeply rooted in the desire to expand our frontiers and increase our knowledge about ourselves and our world.
We stand at the end of a century marked by wondrous advances in science and technology—advances that have immeasurably improved the lives of our citizens. As recently as 100 years ago, space travel, genetic engineering, and telecommunications existed only in the realms of imagination and science fiction. Today, the nascent International Space Station, the nearly complete Human Genome Project, and the flourishing Internet attest to the great strides our civilization and our Nation have made.
The scope and speed of our discoveries are truly breathtaking, and each day new applications of science and technology enrich our lives in fields as diverse as medicine, communications, engineering, and the arts. Recognizing the importance of maintaining America’s scientific and technological leadership, my Administration is seeking increased funding in areas like biomedical research and in earth and space sciences. My fiscal year 2000 budget also proposes a 28 percent increase in information technology research to finance a new initiative—Information Technology for the Twenty-First Century (IT2).
This initiative will support long-term information technology research that will lead to fundamental advances in communications and improvements in computing. During National Science and Technology Week, in communities large and small, engineers, scientists, educators, business people, and community leaders will lead observances to help their fellow citizens appreciate the world’s scientific and technological wonders. I encourage all Americans—and especially our young people—to participate in the many educational activities taking place across our Nation.
The more 113 STAT. 2076we understand and appreciate the extraordinary tools that science and technology place at our fingertips, the more we can accomplish in our efforts to create a cleaner environment, healthier families, better schools, and a brighter future. The only limit on our achievements is our imagination. NOW. THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 25 to May 1, 1999, as National Science and Technology Week.
I call upon educators and students, the business community, and all the people of the United States to work this week and throughout the year to learn more about the contributions science and technology make to our lives and our future. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-third day of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-third. WILLIAM J. CLINTON 7189 April 30, 1999 Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 7189 of April 30, 1999 Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Seeking America’s bright promise of freedom and fairness, millions of men and women of Asian and Pacific descent have immigrated to our Nation through the past 2 centuries to participate in our great experiment in democracy.
Although they left behind their native lands and many of their loved ones, they carried in their hearts a rich and ancient history and a proud heritage. Throughout the decades, the principles and cherished traditions of Asian and Pacific Americans have infused our way of life, and their diligence and determination have helped build and sustain our Nation. Asian immigrants and indigenous U.S. Pacific Islanders have made contributions to every facet of American life. Yet all too often, Asian immigrants and Pacific Islanders had to endure discrimination as our society struggled with its growing diversity.
Overcoming prejudice and other hardships, these determined men and women have strengthened our society, our economy, and our national character in the process. Asian and Pacific Americans today continue to make substantial contributions to our country and our culture, and this year’s theme, “Celebrating Our Legacy,” calls on us to recognize our common human spirit. Scientists and researchers like David Ho untangle the mysteries of human biology; astronauts like Kalpana Chawla explore the heavens; human rights activists like Dith Pran inspire us with their courage and conviction; athletes like Michele Kwan dazzle us with their grace and endurance; and inspiring leaders like Daniel Inouye and Bill Lann Lee fight for justice and equality for all our people.
These sons and daughters of Vietnam, India, China, Korea, Japan, Cambodia, Fiji, the Philippines, Thailand, and many other nations, as well as the islands of 113 STAT. 2077Guam, American Samoa, and Hawaii, have enriched every aspect of our society with their talents, intellect, and determination. While our Nation has made enormous strides on the path to full equality and inclusion, our work is far from finished. My Administration has strived to empower the Asian and Pacific American community by working to strengthen our economy, enforce our civil rights laws, invest in health and education, and promote racial reconciliation.
Thanks in part to our economic initiatives, the median household income for Asian and Pacific Americans has significantly increased since 1993, while the poverty rate has declined by more than 8 percent. We have launched a new initiative to end racial and ethnic health disparities, and we established the first-ever Office of Minority Health Research and Alternative Medicine at the National Institutes of Health. Working to renew our commitment to excellence in education, my Administration also has secured a 35 percent increase in funding for bilingual and immigrant education.
To honor the accomplishments of Asian and Pacific Americans and to recognize their many contributions to our Nation, the Congress, by Public Law 102–450, has designated the month of May as “Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.” NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 1999 as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this occasion with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-third. WILLIAM J. CLINTON 7190 April 30, 1999 Older Americans Month, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 7190 of April 30, 1999 Older Americans Month, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation As we look forward to the 21st century, we honor the millions of older Americans whose contributions have strengthened and sustained our Nation throughout the 20th century.
These special citizens have led us through times of conflict, depression, peace, and prosperity and have witnessed firsthand the milestones that have defined this era as the “American Century.” This month, as we salute their achievements, let us also renew our commitment to preserve for older Americans a quality of life that will help them look ahead to the future with peace of mind. In recent decades, extraordinary advances in science, technology, and medicine, as well as our increased awareness of the importance of good nutrition and physical fitness, have enabled Americans to live longer, healthier lives.
Over the course of the past 100 years, the average113 STAT. 2078 American’s life-span has lengthened by nearly three decades, with the percentage of older Americans in our population more than tripling. By the year 2030, one in five Americans will be aged 65 or older. As we enter the new millennium with a strong economy and the first budget surpluses since the 1960s, we have a historic opportunity to embrace the challenges and possibilities of a society where men and women will lead longer, more active, more productive lives.
My Administration is working to make the most of this opportunity by proposing to set aside more than 75 percent of any budget surplus over the next 15 years to protect Social Security and Medicare: and we will also work to increase our investment in the scientific and medical research and development programs that will continue to lengthen and improve the lives of Americans in the years to come. We must continue to support older Americans—as well as their caregivers and those who provide critical home and community-based services—through a strong, reauthorized Older Americans Act; and we must work to ensure that long-term care needs are met now and in the future.
The theme of this year’s celebration, “Honor the Past, Imagine the Future: Towards a Society for all Ages,” reminds us of the profound debt of gratitude we owe to the generations of older Americans whose hardwork, courage, faith, sacrifice, and patriotism helped to make this Nation great. Through turmoil and triumph, these Americans not only have defended our fundamental values of liberty, justice, and equality, but they also have handed down to younger generations the enduring traditions of community, family, and love of country that bind our society together.
Long life is a gift we must cherish and a wonderful opportunity and responsibility for which we must prepare. I urge all Americans to take time during this month to reaffirm our commitment, as individuals and as a Nation, to meet the challenges of an aging society. Working together, we can improve the lives of our older citizens, their families, and their caregivers and strive to ensure that all Americans enjoy healthy, financially secure, and productive lives. NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J.
CLINTON, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 1999 as Older Americans Month. I urge Government officials, business people, community leaders, educators, volunteers, and all the other people of the United States to celebrate the contributions older Americans have made throughout their lives to the progress of our Nation. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-third.
WILLIAM J. CLINTON 7191 April 30, 1999 Law Day, U.S.A., 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation
Connections1 off-index
1 reference not yet in our index
- Pub. L. 102-450
Citation graph
cites case law
Proclamation 7180
Pub. L.Pub. L. 102-450
Cites 1Cited by 0 across 0 sources